Happy hour: Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub

Jesse Tigges, Columbus Alive

Thursday

Aug 9, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 9, 2012 at 8:26 PM

Barley's Brewing Co. has been producing quality beer for almost 20 years, making its locations in the Short North and Grandview a mecca for aficionados. The Grandview smokehouse (obviously) serves smoky, savory barbecue, and its happy hour is a great way to get to know and enjoy both the beer and food.

Barley's Brewing Co. has been producing quality beer for almost 20 years, making its locations in the Short North and Grandview a mecca for aficionados. The Grandview smokehouse (obviously) serves smoky, savory barbecue, and its happy hour is a great way to get to know and enjoy both the beer and food.

The booze:

If you're hanging out at Barley's Smokehouse, you should be drinking its beer. Take advantage of the $3.25 house pints - beers brewed by Barley's - during happy hour. Recently, Barley's unveiled the ZIPA, a sessionable (6.0 ABV) American IPA ideal for summer. Brewed with honey and orange zest, the traditional IPA flavors pair well with the hint of sweet citrus.

While the ZIPA is highly recommended, make sure to save room for the Fortune Teller East India Imperial Porter - it's happy hour, you can have two beers. The Fortune Teller is only available in the fall, so get some before it's gone.

If none of Barley's current draft selections is to your liking - I don't see that happening, but anything is possible - there's also wine, a full bar and a couple of other beers on tap. All of those drink options are 50 cents off during happy hour.

The food:

Barley's offers a different happy hour special each day Monday through Friday, and there are incredible specials all day Sunday. With football season right around the corner, I'm certain many of you will be looking for a great bar for wings and beer - with $10 house pitchers and 55-cent wings, Barley's is that place.

Barley's hickory-smoked wings are some of the best in the city. The wings are good enough plain, but there are a couple of nearly irresistible sauces. The Texas Smokedip, Kansas City BBQ and Buffalo sauces are excellent. If you're looking for more spice, try the Jerk flavor or the Gates of Hell if you're feeling ballsy.

Wings are also 55 cents on Mondays, and a half-pound of the boneless variety is $5 on Thursdays. The daily special on Thursdays is the wildly popular Reuben sandwich and fries ($9.79). Tuesdays offer a rib-tip and fries basket ($5), and Wednesdays feature Barley's homemade barbecue-rub kettle chips ($4).